Target 2.2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals focuses on ending all forms of malnutrition by 2025, with particular attention to the nutritional needs of children under five years of age, as well as addressing the specific requirements of adolescent girls, pregnant women, and older persons. Malnutrition remains a pressing global challenge, impacting millions of people, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where inadequate access to nutritious food, poor health services, and socio-economic inequalities exacerbate the problem. The objective of Target 2.2 is not only to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition but also to ensure that populations have access to adequate and safe food, promoting optimal growth, development, and health outcomes. Malnutrition can manifest in various forms, each reflecting different nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. Stunting, wasting, and hidden hunger are three key indicators used globally to assess malnutrition among populations, particularly children. These conditions differ in terms of their causes, manifestations, and long-term consequences, and addressing them requires nuanced strategies within global sustainable development frameworks. Stunting is characterized by low height-for-age and represents chronic malnutrition. It occurs when children experience prolonged periods of inadequate nutrition, recurrent infections, or both, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, which are critical for growth and cognitive development. Stunted children may appear small for their age, but more importantly, they suffer from impaired physical and cognitive development, which can have lifelong effects on health, educational outcomes, and economic productivity. Globally, stunting affects millions of children, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting both food insecurity and inadequate maternal and child healthcare. Combating stunting requires interventions that focus on improving maternal nutrition, promoting breastfeeding, ensuring access to diverse and nutrient-rich foods, and reducing infectious diseases through improved sanitation and healthcare. In contrast, wasting represents acute malnutrition, manifested as low weight-for-height. Wasting occurs when children experience sudden and severe food shortages, illness, or both, resulting in rapid weight loss or failure to gain weight appropriately. It indicates a recent and serious process of weight loss that can lead to life-threatening conditions if not addressed promptly. Wasting is often observed in regions affected by famine, conflict, natural disasters, or economic crises, where food availability is disrupted. Unlike stunting, which reflects long-term deficiencies,